| Project category | CTR Research Project Support Program |
| Project title | Tourism & SDGs: Exploring corporate commitment to sustainability – exploring motivation and activities: Japan case |
| Research Unit | Sustainability |
| Primary investigator | Graham Miller |
| Co investigators | Kumi Kato, Minako Okada（PhD Student, Graduate School of Tourism (Doctor Program), Wakayama University） |
| Project period | 2018/5/1～2019/3/31 |
| Project summary | This project aims to analyse corporate commitment to SDGs, specifically tourism corporates in Japan. It examines the degrees of commitment to SDGs, selection of goals/targets, motivation behind and actual activities. Investigation will be done initially through analysis of CSR documents, and then interview with selected corporate managers. Focus will be given to goals related to gender equality, peace and fairness, which may be less prioritized than direct economic benefits, but nonetheless fundamental in sustainability philosophy. The aim here is to grasp overall picture of SDGs commitment, as well as gathering best practice examples so that multiple ways of implementing sustainable practices are understood by corporates, and applied to better facilitation of sustainability. |
Activity reports
In terms of corporate commitment to SDGs, rigorous initiatives were found in places such as Copenhagen, Bangkok, and Sri Lanka. With these international best practices as a benchmark, two stages were taken in this project, attempting to first, grasp overall picture of SDGs commitment among the corporates and local governments, and second, to gather motivation & strategies behind best practice examples. Firstly, SDGs commitment among tourism industry was surveyed through a questionnaire (53 corporates in transport, accommodation, travel). Reported actions mostly related to climate change, including share-bike/solar energy projects, emission reduction goal setting and volunteer tours (tree planting). Local governments were selected from the 29 SDGs future cities (2018 selection) as well as some showing commitment. Among the industry, limited commitment is observed, although a variety of actions were implemented. Few was at the 'commitment stage', clearly articulating the reason for commitment to sustainability. Among the selected local governments interviewed, some (Yokohama, Kamakura, Kanagawa) are implementing SDGs in the policy and master plans, which, are expected to filter through in tourism policies in time, but no specific strategies are mentioned at this stage. In both industry and local governments, the term SDGs have not been firmly implemented. Especially majority of the corporates, believe overt commitment contributes to improved profile, there is still a notion, that sustainability is not for profit. The second stage attempted to examine 'best practice'. examples, regarding gender equality as a selected theme. In the interviews with selected candidates, it was clear that gender equality is related to other fundamental qualities such as conservation, health/wellness, education, decent work, social justice and peace. SDGs can be a useful platform to promote and implement sustainability issues, but to encourage and motivate commitment, which also promotes other qualities such as natural conservation, social justice decent work. Outcomes related to this projects includes 5 presentations, 2 articles and 2 external funding submissions (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/Japan Tourism Agency).
Conference 12resentations & Public talks:
- Kato, K. (2018). Sustainable tourism generating happiness: Resilience perspective. 3rd International Happiness Forum: Tourism & SDGs (19 September, 2018). Happiness Institute. Musashino University.
- Kato, K., Loomba, P., & Asgotraa, S. (2019). Renewable energy and tourism: commitment for SDG 7. Paper presented at Tourism & SDGs (24-25, January, 2019, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand.
- Miller, G. (2018). Sustainable tourism indicator measuring happiness & wellness. 3rd International Happiness Forum: Tourism & SDGs (19 September, 2018). Happiness Institute. Musashino University.
- Okada, M. (2018). Achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls. 3rd International Happiness Forum: Tourism & SDGs (19 September, 2018). Happiness Institute. Musashino University.
Articles:
- Kato, K. (forthcoming). Gender and sustainability: promoting SDG 5 gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls: an ecohumanities perspective Journal of Sustainable Tourism, Special Issue: Critical thinking in SDGs.
- Okada, M. Contribution of Sustainable Tourism to Women 's Empowerment. Focusing on SDGs: Goal No5 "Gender Equality" in the Tourism Labour Market in Japan (in preparation for submission)
Funding appIications:
- 2019年度基盤研究 (B)（一般） Miller, G., & Kato, K. Developing Capacity assessment for tourism destination in Japan : Application of European Tourism Indicator System for sustainable destination management.
